Simone Thomas, Maike Scherrer-Rathje, Maria Fischl and Thomas Friedli
To cope with the increasing challenges of globalisation, various manufacturing companies have established intra-company manufacturing networks. The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
To cope with the increasing challenges of globalisation, various manufacturing companies have established intra-company manufacturing networks. The purpose of this paper is to link the strategic network targets (i.e. accessibility, thriftiness represented by economies of scale and economies of scope, mobility, and learning) with the capabilities and characteristics of the constituting sites of the manufacturing network and thus facilitate the identification of mismatches and the discussion of possible development paths for the network.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors derive a conceptual framework from the literature which is tested with a single case; a manufacturing network consisting of eight manufacturing sites. Case data were collected based on 24 interviews with operations managers at network level and a standardised online survey among the sites’ management teams.
Findings
Results indicate that manufacturing network and site levels need to be related when striving for a fit between manufacturing strategy, network strategy, and site capabilities and characteristics.
Research limitations/implications
Single case studies have only limited generalisability. Nevertheless, the case demonstrates the usefulness of several dimensions when analysing manufacturing networks on site and network level.
Originality/value
This paper represents the first attempt to link strategic targets of intra-company manufacturing networks with site capabilities and characteristics. Thereby, it provides a theoretical basis for future research on the relationship between strategic targets of manufacturing networks and their fulfilment. The developed manufacturing site portfolio, moreover, extends the site role typology discussion by a multi-dimensional perspective and represents a starting point for a multi-faceted discussion of site roles.
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Maria Fischl, Maike Scherrer-Rathje and Thomas Friedli
The purpose of this paper is both to provide an overview of existing knowledge pertaining to the management of price risks in manufacturing companies from an operations management…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is both to provide an overview of existing knowledge pertaining to the management of price risks in manufacturing companies from an operations management (OM) perspective and to establish an agenda for future research. Risks related to the purchase prices of industrial consumption factors (raw materials, semi-finished/finished goods, auxiliary materials and operating materials) exert an increasing influence on manufacturing companies’ business continuity and economic sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted following the literature search approach of vom Brocke et al. (2009). In total, 138 relevant articles were identified, analysed and synthesised.
Findings
The literature review reveals that the existing OM literature devotes little attention to price risks and their management in manufacturing companies. In particular, further empirical investigation is required to support decision-making in various risk contexts.
Social implications
This paper emphasises that in addition to existing national resource funds and inter-company alliances, alternative concepts are required to secure both stable prices and access to natural resources. Otherwise, in the future, small- and medium-sized companies, along with companies based in countries lacking available resource funds, will not have an opportunity to engage in fair competition.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first literature review to focus on price as a specific supply risk.
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Veronique Y.F. Maas, Lyne M.G. Blanchette, Wencke van Amstel, Arie Franx, Marjolein Poels and Maria P.H. Koster
Exposure to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours before pregnancy affects the health of mothers and their (unborn) children. A social marketing strategy could empower prospective…
Abstract
Purpose
Exposure to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours before pregnancy affects the health of mothers and their (unborn) children. A social marketing strategy could empower prospective parents to actively prepare for pregnancy through preconception care (PCC). This study aims to describe the development of a PCC social marketing strategy based on the eight-point benchmark criteria for effective social marketing and to clarify the concept of using social marketing for health promotion purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature search was carried out regarding the needs of the target population and PCC behavioural goals, leading to the development of a bottom-up, ambassador-driven, communication concept.
Findings
In-depth insights of all benchmarks were analysed and incorporated during the development process of a new PCC social marketing strategy, with a special focus on the application of the “Health Belief Model” (Benchmark 3) and “the Four-P framework” (Benchmark 8). Evidence-based preconceptional health information is our product, for a low price as the information is freely attainable, promoting a message of overall women‘s health and online or through a consult with a health-care provider as the appropriate place. This formative research resulted in the development of the Woke Women® strategy, empowering women to actively prepare for pregnancy.
Originality/value
Developing a social marketing strategy to enhance actively preparing for pregnancy shows potential to encourage prospective parents to adopt healthier preconceptional lifestyle behaviours and can therefore improve the health of future generations.
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Amer Jazairy, Hafez Shurrab and Fabienne Chedid
This research aims to examine the potential tensions and management strategies for adopting artificial intelligence (AI) within Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) environments…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to examine the potential tensions and management strategies for adopting artificial intelligence (AI) within Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) environments.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted in-depth interviews with eight S&OP professionals from different manufacturing firms, supplemented by interviews with AI solutions experts and secondary document analysis of various S&OP processes, to scrutinize the paradoxes associated with AI adoption in S&OP.
Findings
We revealed 12 sub-paradoxes associated with AI adoption in S&OP, culminating in 5 overarching impact pathways: (1) balancing immediate actions with long-term AI-driven strategies, (2) navigating AI adoption via centralized systems, process redesign and data unification, (3) harmonizing AI-driven S&OP identities, collaboration and technology acceptance, (4) bridging traditional human skills with innovative AI competencies and (5) managing the interrelated paradoxes of AI adoption in S&OP.
Practical implications
The findings provide a roadmap for firms to proactively address the possible tensions associated with adopting AI in S&OP, balancing standardization with flexibility and traditional expertise with AI capabilities.
Originality/value
This research offers (1) a nuanced understanding of S&OP-specific paradoxes in AI adoption, contributing to the broader literature on AI within operations management and (2) an extension to Paradox Theory by uncovering distinct manifestations at the AI–S&OP intersection.
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Arne Walter, Kamrul Ahsan and Shams Rahman
Demand planning (DP) is a key element of supply chain management (SCM) and is widely regarded as an important catalyst for improving supply chain performance. Regarding the…
Abstract
Purpose
Demand planning (DP) is a key element of supply chain management (SCM) and is widely regarded as an important catalyst for improving supply chain performance. Regarding the availability of technology to process large amounts of data, artificial intelligence (AI) has received increasing attention in the DP literature in recent years, but there are no reviews of studies on the application of AI in supply chain DP. Given the importance and value of this research area, we aimed to review the current body of knowledge on the application of AI in DP to improve SCM performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic literature review approach, we identified 141 peer-reviewed articles and conducted content analysis to examine the body of knowledge on AI in DP in the academic literature published from 2012 to 2023.
Findings
We found that AI in DP is still in its early stages of development. The literature is dominated by modelling studies. We identified three knowledge clusters for AI in DP: AI tools and techniques, AI applications for supply chain functions and the impact of AI on digital SCM. The three knowledge domains are conceptualised in a framework to demonstrate how AI can be deployed in DP to improve SCM performance. However, challenges remain. We identify gaps in the literature that make suggestions for further research in this area.
Originality/value
This study makes a theoretical contribution by identifying the key elements in applying AI in DP for SCM. The proposed conceptual framework can be used to help guide further empirical research and can help companies to implement AI in DP.